Travel and Vaping US customs - what should I expect?

[kaboom]

Hi everybody, I'm a happy if a little broke vaper and am just about to travel back to the US.

Knowing there are some legal issues and wanting to play it safe (don't want my starter kit to get confiscated!), I actually e-mailed customs about it. The reply I got was that it was totally fine, but to make sure I declare it and pay the "applicable duties" on entry.

Now my question is, since I've never had anything to declare before, how much can I expect to pay, and how? Should I make sure to exchange into dollar bills before I leave for the trip? I wasn't planning on bringing anything beyond two 510s, a PCC, and some 10ml liquids with me, but since I just found out Connecticut has it in for the PV and suppliers won't ship...

If someone is about to tell me to just not declare it, as a friend of mine did, nuh-uh. I like feeling like a law-abiding citizen, and besides, why pass up an opportunity to tell customs officials about the awesomeness of pv:s?

Anyone have any tips or experience to share?

 

[crand]

You did not say where you are traveling from or how much you are bringing back. Section 15 on a US Customer Declaration states;
"Residents - the total value of all goods, including commercial merchandise I/we have purchased or acquired abroad, including gifts for someone else, but not items mailed to the US and am/are bring to the U.S. is"
That simply means they expect you to declare a value for all purchases made while on your trip outside of the U.S.
You should be fine with a couple hundred dollars worth of supplies intended for your personal use. Not declaring any amount over that however will, if caught, subject you to some pretty nasty fines. E-Cigs and supplies are not illegal in the US so you shouldn't have to worry about confiscation.
Declare the true value, pay the tax and sleep better at night.

 

[kaboom]

Declare the true value, pay the tax and sleep better at night.

My perspective as well!

I'm not sure if I classify as a resident, while I do live there most of the year it's as an international student. I'm coming in from a pretty solid western country (sorry for lack of details - I try and keep my privacy together on the internet), and won't be leaving or selling any of my pv stuff.

My question is more, how much cash should I bring with me, if cash is how you pay - do they take visa? Check? I just have no conception of how customs work and don't want to end up with too little money ready.

 

[crand]

You would be required to pay the appropriate tax amount to what ever country issued your passport.

 

[crand]

Don't quote me on this one but I believe it's a paper transaction that would be declared and settled when you do your taxes.
If it's an 'on the spot' payment I'm sure any main line credit card will suffice.

 

[kaboom]

You would be required to pay the appropriate tax amount to what ever country issued your passport.

Huh. That should be interesting, since I just today found out my country allows vaporizers, but not nicotine liquid... Which I ordered and promptly got two weeks ago. Twice. Ugh. Now I'm assuming nicotine in general would be taxed in my country, but illegal nicotine? Or is it?

You know what, I'll just bring it, declare it, then report back on how it goes. Wish me luck instead of jailtime, I guess

 

[crand]

Happy travels, no one ever went to jail for being honest...

 

[kaboom]

One more question though, if I bought it from China, shipped it to my native country and paid the customs fee (I'm guessing that's what that fee slip was?), went to the US for three months and then brought it back with me to the native country again, which country am I supposed to pay the customs to? Not really sure which country I'll be in during the fall, either.

Jesus, sorry, a little out of it today. I'm probably overthinking this.

 

[VapingRulz]

It doesn't sound to me like you'd be required to pay any customs tax at all. The product is already used and the value of the juice is likely far below the minimum value you're entitled to bring into the country duty-free.

I think the Customs people were trying to tell you that IF you are at or above the value that you need to reach to declare something, make sure you do so. Otherwise, you don't have to pay anything.

 

[kaboom]

Oh, that sounds reasonable. I was having a very confused moment there - then I remembered that, hey, I bring my laptop and the one pack of cigarettes with me every time, why should this be any different? I imagine it's a different situation for people importing it to sell, people bringing massive amounts, or maybe if you mean to give it away as a present.

But yeah, sorry for the ridiculous question. Just upped my nicotine mg today and the fog has cleared...

 

[Bryce]

What happened? Hopefully Kaboom isn't locked up in some non-vaping Canadian cell somewhere.